THE TEMPTATIONS IN A MELLOW MOOD TML 11068 (-68) UK MONO

Part of Barry Gordy's attempt to broaden the audience for his labels by letting some of Motown's big names do numbers from the common American songbook. "The Supremes Sings Rodgers And Hart" posted earlier was in the same campaign. I wasn't totally impressed with that - the faithfully made orchestrations cleary showed they weren't up to the competition from the originals. IMO this is a lot better. The musical arrangements are both more sparse and varied - from string driven ballads to up-tempo and jazz. Although the style is similar they're not trying to copy, but make it their own. Mostly that has to do with the vocals - the leads goes from brightest countertenor to deepest bass and background varies with the songs different expressions. These guys could really sing and that's what makes the album. I like the jazzier numbers best - "A Taste Of Honey", "I'm Ready For Love" and "That's Life". The original Motown mono mix sounds good as always. Sales were healthy in US - topped the R&B list and reached #13 on Billboard - while it didn't chart at all in UK. Original 1967 US issue on Gordy (GLP/GLPS-924). First UK had label as shown here and laminated flip/back cover. (TÖMÖ*) (ÄIÖ*)